Ginny was downstairs waiting in the same foyer she had first arrived in. She was starring at her reflection in the large mirror adorned with small jewels for the Black family to finish getting ready. Her ginger hair was up in curls, pinned delicately in the back so that they resembled a giant flower. Narcissa had insisted that Ginny wear lipstick, the bright red outshining her already red hair. She planned on wiping it off as soon as they left; she wasn't much of a makeup person.
"I still think that dress is a horrible decision," Bellatrix interrupted.
Ginny looked around, surprised to see Bellatrix behind her, her chest about to pop out of her ugly blue dress, she moved so silently, Ginny hadn't heard her at all.
Ginny looked down at her gown, it was floor length and green, pinching tightly to her waist and falling down is a delicate whips around her legs. The arms of her dress were covered by green lace, with delicate silver detailing that looked individually hand stitched.
"I like it," Ginny shrugged, not wanting to engage Bellatrix in her taunts.
"It clashes horribly with your ginger hair," She added, shrugging.
"Now Bellatrix, that is no way to talk to Miss Dunham, I think you look wonderful," Mr. Black laughed, his voice booming in the open room as he approached the two girls, Narcissa and her mother following behind him.
"Green is a good color," he added.
Ginny smiled in thanks, but was unsure of how to respond, from behind him she could see Narcissa rolling her eyes and Ginny had to stifle her laugh.
Bellatrix apparated first, then Narcissa left with her mother, and Ginny with her hand clutching tightly to Mr. Black's forearm followed shortly after.
They arrived at the same staircase Ginny had arrived at last time, now it was decorated with vines and daffodils, with tiny painted eggs woven in-between.
"Mrs. Malfoy always goes all out, last year it was a real garden up along the stairs with so many different kinds of flowers, and tiny bunnies hopping through them," Narcissa whispered.
The same nervous pit that filled Ginny at the last ball was just as strong; she scanned the crowded ball room looking for a familiar face, and couldn't tell anyone apart. The crowd dancing was lost in the swirl or robes and dresses, and those along the buffest table or at seated at the tables all looked like strangers.
"Come on Ginevra," Narcissa said, looping her arm through hers once they reached the landing.
"Oh, dear I see Lucius over there with his mother, why don't we head over and say hello," Mrs. Black interrupted.
"I'm sure I have some people I can introduce Ginevra too, while you both say hello," Mr. Black commented. His eyes followed Bellatrix to where she had sauntered across the room.
"See, it's settled then!" Mrs. Black beamed, as she pushed Narcissa along and the two travelled through the crowd to where Lucius stood with his mother.
"Nervous yet?" Mr. Black laughed.
"Nervous?" Ginny asked, her heart pounding in her chest.
"It must be hard being in a room full of wizards you don't know, tell me is there anyone left in your family?" he asked, leaning in as his voice lowered.
"Now, now Cygnus, let's not overwhelm the girl with questions," Orion Black laughed.
Ginny looked over the see Sirius's father, dressed in nearly an identical outfit as Narcissa's father.
"Miss Dunham, it is lovely to see you again," Orion greeted, bowing slightly.
"You too sir," Ginny replied nervously.
"Our Regulus speaks highly of you," he added winking.
"He's a good friend," Ginny smiled politely.
"How are you liking Hogwarts?" he asked.
"It's good," Ginny replied awkwardly. She felt like she was at a Weasley reunion with her Great Aunt playing 20 questions waiting for her to say the wrong thing.
"Gryfindor isn't to boring for you?" he added.
"No, I don't see much of a difference," Ginny responded politely.
"Of course not, not when you're making friends in the right houses," Cygnus Black laughed, inserting himself back into the conversation.
"Ginevra," a familiar voice called.
Ginny turned smiling to see that Regulus was standing just behind his father.
"Would you excuse me?" Ginny smiled politely, as she left the two men and headed towards Regulus.
"Thanks," she whispered once they were out of earshot.
"No problem, you looked like you needed my help," Regulus laughed.
Ginny thought he looked handsome his hair was slicked back, but not with an overuse of gel the way Draco Malfoy always did, his dress robes made him look a little taller, or maybe he was always this tall and Ginny had just never noticed.
"You look nice," they both said at the same time, causing them both to laugh.
"Is Severus here?" Ginny asked, looking around.
"I haven't seen him yet, but I imagine he's here somewhere," Regulus responded taking a sip of his champagne.
"Just got here actually," Severus chuckled, walking up behind them.
"About time," Regulus responded.
"I agree, I see they're finally serving drinks," he added pointing towards Regulus's.
"Now Severus, should you really be drinking?" Lucius Malfoy asked, Narcissa right behind him.
"I hope my father wasn't embarrassing." Narcissa smiled.
"Not at all," Ginny laughed.
"No more than mine was," Regulus comforted his cousin.
"Aren't they just dreadful," Narcissa laughed.
"Cissy, mother is looking for you, something about introducing you to someone boring, I suggest you hide before she finds you," Bellatrix interrupted, snatching the glass Severus had just picked from a passing waiter and taking a sip.
"Mind if I take a picture of the future?" A man asked, approaching the group with a camera, a large smile on his face.
"What?" Ginny asked panicked.
"It's a picture red, do they not have those where you're from?" Bellatrix asked, smirking as she fell in line, lifting up her glass.
Narcissa and Lucius stood side by side, their arms lopping through each other, Lucius pulled Regulus close with his free arm, and rufflled up his hair as Ginny held in her laugh as she watched him play it off, although she could tell he was clearly upset that the hair he styled perfectly was now untidy, and she squeezed his hand affectionately.
"You too sir," The photographer said, signaling to Severus who strolled over to the other side of Bellatrix.
There was a bright flash, a tiny puff of smoke and then the photographer headed off in search of another photo.
"Mother's probably going to frame that one for years," Regulus laughed.
"Don't worry mine will too," Narcissa added smiling.
"It's a shame I didn't make it in time for a picture then,"
The six of them turned towards the magical voice, but Ginny already knew who it was, she would never forget the sound of his voice.
"It's too bad indeed," Bellatrix responded the longing evident in her voice as she starred at him wide-eyed popping her chest out slightly.
All six sets of eyes were focused on Tom Riddle, but his gaze rested on Ginny as his lips curled into a smile.